Chodová Planá brings together several themes for a varied stay: brewing culture, historic architecture, an expansive castle park and traces of Jewish community life. Its distinctive features lie not only in the individual places, but also in their different histories—from medieval brewery cellars to cemeteries dating from later centuries.
Brewery Cellars and Beer Spa
At Pivovar Chodovar, the history of brewing reaches back to cellars dating from the 14th century. Hewn out of granite, they are still used for brewing beer today. A tour takes visitors through the floor malting house, brewhouse and open fermentation room; beer tasting at the brewery well is part of the experience. There is also a small museum of the brewing industry in the cellar area. The route there passes through a 40-metre-long passage carved out of solid rock.
Visitors interested in brewing and its history can bring together different aspects of the brewery in one visit: the production rooms, the long-standing use of the rock cellars and the museum. The beer spa adds another offering to the local brewing tradition. If you are planning a tour, it is advisable to check the current visiting hours.
Castle Park, Castle and Church
The area around the beer spas borders a castle park with the character of a landscaped park. Several gentle hills are separated by small valleys with streams. This varied landscape offers a different perspective from the brewery cellars: rather than a single building, the focus here is on an extensive park with changing terrain. The Old Jewish Cemetery is also located in the hilly grounds of the castle park.
The castle in Chodová Planá is a largely intact historicist building. The castle complex includes a café open to the public; check whether it is open before your visit. The Baroque Church of St John the Baptist offers another historic landmark: it was built between 1748 and 1754. Frescoes by Eliáš Dollhopf adorn its interior. The church thus combines a clearly defined period of construction with a specific, identifiable artistic feature.
Two Jewish Cemeteries, Two Historical Periods
The Old Jewish Cemetery preserves around 100 gravestones, most of them dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. A Czech-German project restored the cemetery, and today the well-maintained site once again attracts visitors. Its location in the hilly castle park also makes it part of the local cultural landscape. The approximate number and dates of the gravestones give an impression of the cemetery’s long history, although not all the stones date from the same period.
The New Jewish Cemetery was established in 1890 and is among the last surviving traces of Jewish community life in Chodová Planá. Its wrought-iron gate is decorated with Stars of David. The two cemeteries therefore represent different periods: the Old Cemetery is defined by gravestones from several centuries, while the New Cemetery dates back to a specific year.
Getting There and Exploring Activities
Chodová Planá can be reached from Mariánské Lázně by direct train. Check the timetable before travelling. There is also a described cycling route: the cycle path from Chodová Planá to Mariánské Lázně connects to a cycle path to Planá. Before setting out, it is worth checking the current route conditions. The Chodovoplánská fitness trail is in the park and has eight exercise stations; its facilities may change.
When choosing a hotel, you could first consider which of these highlights you want to shape your stay: the brewery, its cellars and guided tour; the historic cemeteries and buildings; or the park and outdoor activities. Chodová Planá offers several distinct points of interest, from architecture and Jewish heritage to brewing culture and landscape.
Discover more destinations: Hostíčkov, Trpísty, Kokašice, Stříbro, Cernosin, Erpužice, Vranov U Stříbra, Tisová.
For the overview of the wider area: Okres Tachov.
